Advanced antenna architectures for THz sensing instruments

In the summer of 2011, I was awarded a Consolidator Grant by the European Research Council titled “Advanced Antenna Architectures for THz Sensing Systems (AAATSI)”. The grant lasts 5 years and is aimed at solving the “antenna dispersion problem”: i.e. improving the efficiency x Bandwidth product in THz antennas. To achieve this goal an enhanced Fourier Optics methodology is being developed and three radiation concepts are being proposed, Leaky Lens Antennas, Connected Arrays and Artificial Dielectrics. The grant has now reached the half period mark and the investigated concepts have now reached a level of maturity that allows draw to conclude that they can be building blocks for wide bandwidth and large imaging arrays. A detailed report can be found in [1] where all relevant references and the many contributors to this work are mentioned.